After the gala, everything felt kind of strange. Claire noticed a change, especially after her talk with Katherine. It was clear that her bond with Ethan had grown weak. But still, there were little moments that made Claire wonder if there was hope for them.
Ethan was lost in his work. He was always busy with meetings and events. He seemed to ignore the growing distance between them, or maybe he just didn't care. But Claire wasn't ready to give up. She still wanted to keep her dreams alive, no matter what.
One morning, while Claire was at the kitchen table planning her week, Ethan walked in. He looked sharp as always, holding his briefcase. Claire never thought he'd talk to her, but he stopped.
"How's everything going?" he asked softly.
Claire was surprised. His voice was different, not just business. For a moment, she hesitated. It felt odd to talk to him like everything was fine. But she chose to respond.
"It's going well. I have a couple of events coming up," she said, keeping her tone steady.
Ethan nodded. "That's good. I've heard good things about your work."
Her heart raced. Was he being sincere? Or just polite? She smiled anyway.
"Thanks," she replied quietly.
Then, Ethan seemed to get more serious. "I know things have been rough between us."
Claire felt a rush of hope. Was this the turning point?
"I don't know what to say," he continued, looking her in the eyes for the first time in days. "It's been complicated."
Claire felt frustration bubble up. Of course, it was complicated. Their relationship was full of misunderstandings and silence. But she held back her words. Instead, she kept it open.
"I know," she said, calm. "I'm trying, Ethan. I am."
Ethan looked thoughtful. "I don't know what I'm doing half the time. I don't want to make it worse."
His honesty tugged at Claire's heart. She wanted to believe him. But how often had they been in this spot before?
For now, she decided to push the doubts aside. She nodded. "I don't want things to be bad between us either."
They fell into a long silence, but it felt different this time. It wasn't awkward; it felt fragile, like a small crack in the walls they had built. Claire sensed that Ethan was starting to open up.
Later, as Claire worked in her office, she heard a soft knock on the door. She looked up to see Ethan standing there, looking a bit unsure.
"Can I come in?" he asked softly.
"Of course," Claire said, surprised.
Ethan stepped in and closed the door. He didn't say anything at first, and Claire waited, wondering what would happen. Finally, he spoke.
"I was thinking," he said slowly, "maybe I can help you with one of your events. I have some connections."
Claire's eyes widened. Ethan wanted to help. Was this for real? But looking at him, she noticed something different in his eyes.
"Really?" she asked, excited. "You'd help?"
"Yeah. I know things have been tough, but I want to help. You've been working hard, and I think you deserve it," he said.
Claire felt a rush of warmth. This was the first time he had noticed her efforts. It meant a lot to her.
"Thank you," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "I appreciate it."
Ethan smiled softly. "It's the least I can do."
Over the next few days, Ethan helped Claire with the details for an upcoming event. At first, it felt strange. But soon, Claire realized she enjoyed it. Working together made her feel like they were a team again.
One evening, while going over the details for the event, Claire laughed at something Ethan said. It felt nice to laugh together—it reminded her of better times.
"You've got a weird sense of humor," she told him with a smile.
Ethan grinned back. "It's part of my charm."
For the first time in a while, Claire felt like she wasn't just there in the background. She was involved in Ethan's life. That feeling, even if temporary, made her heart lighter.
But part of her still worried it wouldn't last. Ethan was still holding back. But right now, she wanted to enjoy these little moments of connection, hoping they could grow into something bigger.
The next day, as Claire got ready for a meeting, she caught a glimpse of Ethan in the hallway. He stopped and looked at her in a way that made her heart race.
"You're doing great, Claire," he said, his tone sincere. "I'm proud of you."
Claire was taken aback. She hadn't seen this side of him in so long. It was a simple statement, but it filled her with joy. She felt as if she mattered in his life.
"Thanks, Ethan," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "That means a lot."
As she watched him walk away, Claire felt a small spark of hope. It was just a tiny flicker, but it was enough to keep her pushing forward. The future was still uncertain, but for the first time, it felt like things might get better.
And that felt worth holding onto.